Whelen SLN2VLED User Manual

®

ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.

51 Winthrop Road
Chester, Connecticut 06412-0684

Liberty™ and Freedom™ LC Lightbars

Installation Guide:

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Canadian Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Customer Service e-mail: [e-mail]

Safety First

This document provides all the necessary information to allow your Whelen product to be properly and safely installed.
Before beginning the installation and/or operation of your new product, the installation technician and operator must
read this manual completely. Important information is contained herein that could prevent serious injury or damage.

• Proper installation of this product requires the installer to have a good understanding of automotive electronics,
systems and procedures.

• Failure to use specified installation parts and/or hardware will void the product warranty!

• If mounting this product requires drilling holes, the installer MUST be sure that no vehicle components or other
vital parts could be damaged by the drilling process. Check both sides of the mounting surface before drilling
begins. Also de-burr any holes and remove any metal shards or remnants. Install grommets into all wire
passage holes.

• If this manual states that this product may be mounted with suction cups, magnets, tape or Velcro®, clean the
mounting surface with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water and dry thoroughly.

• Do not install this product or route any wires in the deployment area of your air bag. Equipment mounted or
located in the air bag deployment area will damage or reduce the effectiveness of the air bag, or become a
projectile that could cause serious personal injury or death. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for the air bag
deployment area. The User/Installer assumes full responsibility to determine proper mounting location, based
on providing ultimate safety to all passengers inside the vehicle.

• For this product to operate at optimum efficiency, a good electrical connection to chassis ground must be
made. The recommended procedure requires the product ground wire to be connected directly to the NEGATIVE
(-) battery post.

• If this product uses a remote device to activate or control this product, make sure that this control is located in
an area that allows both the vehicle and the control to be operated safely in any driving condition.

• Do not attempt to activate or control this device in a hazardous driving situation.

• This product contains either strobe light(s), halogen light(s), high-intensity LEDs or a combination of these
lights. Do not stare directly into these lights. Momentary blindness and/or eye damage could result.

• Use only soap and water to clean the outer lens. Use of other chemicals could result in premature lens cracking
(crazing) and discoloration. Lenses in this condition have significantly reduced effectiveness and should be
replaced immediately. Inspect and operate this product regularly to confirm its proper operation and mounting
condition. Do not use a pressure washer to clean this product.

• It is recommended that these instructions be stored in a safe place and referred to when performing
maintenance and/or reinstallation of this product.

• FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO
THE PRODUCT OR VEHICLE AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!

Automotive: Lightbars

For warranty information regarding this product, visit www.whelen.com/warranty

©2003 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13745U (081010)

Page 1

Insert foot into extrusion with locking plate
attached.

Twist mounting foot into
position

ANCHOR
PLATE

Loosely secure foot and locking plate.

IMPORTANT! The lightbar should be a minimum

Mounting

Pad

Adjustable
Mounting
Foot

Washer

Nut

Mounting
Foot
Base

Standard
Mounting
Foot

Mounting

Pad

Washer

Nut

Locking
Plate

Bolt

Bolt

of 16" from any radio antennas!
Permanent Mounting:

1. Locate the mounting foot, anchor plate and locking plate included with your
lightbar. If not already present, install the locking plate onto the mounting
foot. When properly positioned, this plate is centered from side-to-side on
the mounting foot.

2. Flip the lightbar upside-down to expose the bottom of the extrusion and
place the mounting foot onto the extrusion.

3. Rotate the mounting foot 90° counter-clockwise. Make sure that the edges
of the mounting foot swing into position under the extrusion mounting lip.
Install an anchor plate onto the extrusion in the same manner.

4. Repeat this procedure for the remaining mounting foot and anchor plate
and return the lightbar to its right side-up position.

5. Position the lightbar onto the vehicle roof in the desired mounting location.
One often selected location is directly above the B-pillars. This area is the
strongest part of the roof. Refer to your lightbar manual for cable exit
location, to be sure that the lightbar is facing the proper direction.

6. Adjust the two mounting feet outwards so that they are as close to the
edge of the roof as possible. Both mounting feet must be in full contact with
the roof. Be sure that there is no less than 1/2” clearance between roof and
lightbar at their closest point. When the mounting feet are in their proper
position, lightly tighten the locking plate allen head set screws.

7. Return the lightbar to an upside-down position. Slide each anchor plate
outwards until it is fully engaged with its corresponding mounting foot. With
the mounting feet and anchor plates in their proper positions firmly tighten
all of the set screws (2 or 4 per side). Flip the lightbar right side-up and
return it to its mounting position.

8. Open both drivers side doors. In the area directly below the mounting foot,
pull the weather-strip away from the vehicle so the area where the
mounting strap will be secured is exposed. Repeat for the other side.

9. Insert the mounting strap through the mounting foot. Be sure that the strap
fits flush against the area where it will be secured onto the vehicle. Insert
the tension bolt through the mounting strap and anchor plate, into the

tinnerman nut. Tighten slightly with a long-shafted, Phillips screwdriver.
Repeat procedure for passenger side.

10. If your mounting strap has mounting holes in the end of the strap, use
these holes as a template to drill appropriately sized pilot holes through the
strap and into the vehicle. Repeat for passenger side of the vehicle.

11. Firmly tighten the tension bolts to secure the lightbar to the vehicle.

Strap Mounting:

1. Locate the mounting foot, anchor plate and locking plate included with your
lightbar. If not already present, install the locking plate onto the mounting
foot. When properly positioned, this plate is centered from side-to-side on
the mounting foot.

2. Flip the lightbar upside-down to expose the bottom of the extrusion and
place the mounting foot onto the extrusion.

3. Rotate the mounting foot 90° in a counter-clockwise direction. Make sure
that the edges of the mounting foot swing into position under the extrusion
mounting lip. Install an anchor plate onto the extrusion in the same
manner.

4. Repeat this procedure for the remaining mounting foot and anchor plate
and return the lightbar to its right side-up position.

5. Position the lightbar onto the vehicle roof in the desired mounting location.
One often selected location is directly above the B-pillars. This area is the
strongest part of the roof. Refer to your lightbar manual for cable exit
location, to be sure that the lightbar is facing the proper direction.

6. Adjust the two mounting feet outwards so that they are as close to the
edge of the roof as possible. Both mounting feet must be in full contact with
the roof. Be sure that there is no less than 1/2” clearance between roof and

lightbar at their closest point. When the mounting feet are in their proper
position, lightly tighten the locking plate allen head set screws.

7. Return the lightbar to an upside-down position. Slide each anchor plate
outwards until it is fully engaged with its corresponding mounting foot. With
the mounting feet and anchor plates in their proper positions firmly tighten
all of the set screws (2 or 4 per side). Flip the lightbar right side-up and
return it to its mounting position.

8. Open both drivers side doors. In the area directly below the mounting foot,
pull the weather-strip away from the vehicle so the area where the
mounting strap will be secured is exposed. Repeat for the other side.

9. Insert the mounting strap through the mounting foot. Be sure that the strap
fits flush against the area where it will be secured onto the vehicle. Insert
the tension bolt through the mounting strap and anchor plate, into the
tinnerman nut. Tighten slightly with a long-shafted, Phillips screwdriver.
Repeat procedure for passenger side.

10. If your mounting strap has mounting holes in the end of the strap, use
these holes as a template to drill appropriately sized pilot holes through the
strap and into the vehicle. Repeat for passenger side of the vehicle.

11. Firmly tighten the tension bolts to secure lightbar to vehicle.

Page 2

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, the
lightbar mounting feet must be sitting as
close to the edge of the roof as possible.
Mounting feet must also be in full contact
with the roof and not be hanging off
the edge.

IMPORTANT: For strap mounted bars, be sure you have the right
sized lightbar for your vehicle. The lightbar should be about the
same width as the vehicle roof. If the
lightbar is too large or small it will not
mount properly to the vehicle and
may shift or come loose during driving.

1/2" Minimum Clearance at Closest Point

MOUNTING FOOT

TINNERMAN

NUT

FOOT

ANCHOR

PLATE

SET
SCREW

Plate slides into
lightbar extrusion

5" Mounting Foot

NUT

BOLT

SPLIT LOCK
WASHER

METAL SCREW

NOTE: The mounting straps are made to fit the contours of individual

vehicles. The strap

may look different. If your lightbar has a 5"
mounting foot, it will assemble differently than the standard
mounting foot. It also uses an extension to compensate for
the extra height. Follow these illustrations for assembly.
Mounting to the lightbar is the same.

shown here is for example only. The strap

for your vehicle

NOTE:
NOTE:
NOTE:
NOTE:
NOTE:
NOTE:

STRAP

SHEET
METAL
SCREWS

EXTENSION

VEHICLE ROOF

Locking

Plate

Mounting
Foot

Nut

Mounting
Pad

Adjustment

screws

Lock

Washer

Anchor Plate

Tinnerman
Nut

Tinnerman

Nut

Anchor
Plate

Locking

Plate

Mounting Strap

Mounting

Screw

Adjustable Foot
Model MKAJ

Standard Foot

Model MKEZ

Mounting

Strap

Mounting

Screw

Tension

Bolt

Tension

Bolt

Tighten screws

with torque wrench

set at 35 to 40 in/lbs

Model
MKAJ

Mounting
Foot

Allen
screws

Mounting
Foot Base

NOTE: Model MKAJ is an adjustable mounting foot. On this model you

DRILLING THE CABLE ACCESS HOLE

Drill cable access hole in appropriate area

for your lightbar (see note)

FRONT OF LIGHTBAR

For

cables exiting

the Driver-side

of the extrusion

lightbars

with

For

cables exiting

the Passenger-side

of the extrusion

lightbars

with

may loosen the screws on the rear of the foot and adjust the angle of the
lightbar. This feature can be used if the angle of the roof is not level with
the road.

IMPORTANT: To adjust the leveling screws you must use a torque wrench
set at 35 to 40 in./lbs.

Routing your Lightbar Cable(s)

1. To protect the headliner from damage caused by drilling the cable access
hole through the vehicle roof, allow a 5” to 7” distance between roof and
headliner by lowering the headliner before drilling.

WARNING! There may be a roof support member that spans the
distance between the driver’s and passenger’s side. DO NOT DRILL
THROUGH THIS MEMBER! Adjust the location until the hole can be
drilled without contacting this support member.

2. Using a 1” hole saw, drill the cable access hole. Use a round file to smooth
and de-burr the edges than insert a 1” grommet.

3. Insert the cable(s) through the cable access hole into the vehicle. Use
RTV silicone to weatherproof the access hole after the cable(s) are pulled
completely into the vehicle.

4. Route the cable(s) through the vehicle following manufacturers
recommendations.

WARNING: Many vehicles are now equipped with side curtain and B­pillar air bags. Alternate routing may be required.

Page 3